Wine Advisor
La Violette 2012
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Description
Violette, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, Still, Red, 2013
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Classic dark raspberry and kirsch liqueur notes intertwined with a touch of spring flowers are a hallmark of this fabulous jewel of a terroir. This dark ruby-hued, medium-bodied, soft, elegant, pure, rich 2012 from proprietress Catherine Pere-Verge is undeniably a star of the vintage. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. At press time, I learned that Madame Pere-Verge had passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a very strong and dynamic woman I shall miss.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Pure Merlot, picked over three days from 6th October and micro-vinified in Saury barrels for seven days, the La Violette (the late Catherine Pere-Verge’s “baby”) has a typically opulent bouquet of candied orange peel, kirsch and fresh figs that are well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple rounded tannins. There is very good volume here, lovely smooth velvety tannins with succulent red cherries, wild strawberry, white pepper and minerals towards the long sumptuous finish. One of the hedonists...but still a very well made La Violette. Tasted April 2013.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 La Violette has a very floral, blueberry and raspberry nose, inky purple color, exceptional texture, full-bodied richness and stunning purity, symmetry and palate presence. This is, possibly, the wine of the year. Unfortunately, there is so little of it available and it is virtually impossible to find. The vineyard is only 4.4 acres, the yields tiny, and usually the final blend includes at least 80% Merlot. Drink it over the next 20 years.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
A truly magnificent wine, the 2012 La Violette boasts off the charts intensity and resonance, with a finish that seems to last forever. So many 2012s look like they will drink well young. This is not one of them. Readers will have to be patient with what is shaping up to be one of the real highlights of the vintage. Blueberry jam, spice, lavender, mint and violet blossom into the beautifully textured finish. This is a magnificent showing.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
Good full ruby. Cool aromas of fresh blackcurrant, cherry liqueur and crushed stone. Sweet on entry, then focused and penetrating in the middle, with savory, mineral-driven soil tones dominating primary black fruit flavors of noteworthy purity. Finishes structured and long, but with a trace of dilution.
About the Producer
Although Chateau La Violette dates back to the late 1800’s when it began to earn a reputation for its wines. In those formative years, the property was owned by a cooper, who made wine barrels for other estates, Ulysse Belivier. It is only quite recent that Chateau La Violette has produced some of the best wines in all of Pomerol. Purchased in 2005 from Frederic Dumas, Chateau La Violette made its debut for the new owner, Catherine Pere-Verge with the 2006 vintage. The small 1.8-hectare vineyard of La Violette is now fully planted to 100% Merlot. At one point in time, there were also Cabernet Franc vines planted, but those vines have been removed and replaced with Merlot. The vineyard has some very old Merlot vines that are close to 75 years of age. The tiny production makes this one of the harder wines to find in Pomerol! The terroir at La Violette is a complex mix of clay and limestone with gravel and iron deposits that run deep into the soil. The vineyard consists of 4 plots in two main parcels. Those 4 main plots are further divided into 20 smaller parcels. The best terroir is placed between Le Pin and Trotanoy. Those vines are the heart and soul of La Violette. The second parcel, which is close to Feytit Clinet is not on the plateau and thus, those vines are placed in Chateau Montviel, one of their other estates. The vines are planted to a density of 5,500 vines per hectare for the old vines. The young vines are planted at a much higher density of 7,700 vines per hectare. At Chateau La Violette, vineyard management requires three days a week be spent manicuring each individual bunch, removing any green or pink berries from around the “wings” to ensure a perfectly uniform ripening of the grapes. At its best, Chateau La Violette is filled with countless layers of dense, rich, opulent dark berry, floral and chocolate tones. The palate enjoys a bath of pure velvet and satin. This is a very sensuous style of Pomerol that marries opulence with the concentration and purity of fruit. One of the key characteristics of this Bordeaux wine is the haunting smell of violets.
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